Hunter (Rosewood High #5) - Tracy Lorraine Page 0,2
trying to fight the tears that are already burning the backs of my eyes.
I thought he really meant it. That he’s been thinking about kissing me like I have him.
Stupid, stupid girl.
He pushes the door open, the sudden light makes me close my eyes as a chorus of cheers erupts from the other side.
My heart sinks into my feet as I wonder how the hell I’m supposed to walk out of here with my head held high.
You’re not, a little voice in my head says. You just totally screwed up.
The ruckus only gets louder as a victorious Zayn steps from the closet after his few seconds in heaven.
“So…” someone prompts. “Did she give you the gift you’ve been dreaming of?”
Before he answers, he looks back at me. I might be back in the shadows but he sees me and our eyes connect for the briefest moment.
“Nah, she’s a frigid bitch.” He walks away as his friends erupt in laughter and a couple of the girls descend on him, probably offering to do everything I apparently couldn’t. All the while, I pray for the ground to swallow me up while continuing to hide in the shadows.
How long can I stay in here? Will anyone even notice?
1
Poppy
I rush out of the Hunter’s kitchen with a drink in hand, ready to find Harley and Ruby to celebrate the New Year together.
Butterflies erupt in my stomach, despite all the crap in my life, this is an exciting moment. One year closer to finishing school. One year closer to taking control of my life. One year closer to leaving this place and everything I despise about it behind. This year we’re going to become seniors, we get to start seriously thinking about our futures and what we want from life. I might not have it all figured out yet, but I know one thing. My future isn’t here. There are too many memories and demons lurking in the shadows for me to ever want to stay.
But while I’m stuck here, I figure I’d better make the most of it.
I see a flash of Harley’s bright red hair and I can’t help but smile. At least I have a couple of good things in my life, my two best friends are definitely that. I have no idea how I’d survive this place without them.
The sound of the party around me begins to lessen as kids head outside, ready to watch the fireworks that are about to illuminate the sky.
I shouldn’t have come tonight but despite my parents’ obvious irritation that I was going to spend the night enjoying myself and they weren’t, I packed a bag and walked straight out the front door. Most days I allow them to blackmail me into doing as they wish, tonight wasn’t one of those nights.
I knew it was safe being here. It’s mostly the seniors who are partying at the Hunter’s, the majority of our junior class are elsewhere, thank God. It means that for once, I’m able to let my hair down and attempt to enjoy being a seventeen-year-old girl if just for a couple of hours, forget about the weight that presses down on my shoulders every other day of the year.
I’m almost at the door when a warm hand wraps around my wrist. The grip is hard, meaningful, and my heart jumps into my throat. A shiver of fear runs down my spine.
He’s not here, I remind myself. You’re safe right now. He is not here. It doesn’t matter how many times I repeat those words in the millisecond I have before whoever has touched me makes themselves known, the fear threatens to swallow me whole regardless.
I kick myself for letting my guard down tonight, for allowing myself to think that I could have just one normal night. For once, just enjoy a party like everyone around me does without constantly looking over my shoulder, waiting for the devil to strike.
“You’re looking hot tonight, Pops.”
His deep, rough voice flows over me, and instantly my shiver returns, only this time it’s not with fear.
Steeling myself, I lift my chin, ready to fight.
“Get your hands off me, Zayn.”
I try to pull myself from his grip but he’s holding too tightly. Before I’ve even had a chance to plan my next move, he’s taken control and pulled me back until the cool of the wall bites into my skin.
He stares into my eyes and as always, I hate that he can see so deep.